The YMCA of Metro Atlanta is proud to highlight a few employees and members who have served this country proudly. The highlights are via their own words and through interviews conducted by their Y branch.
Becky Shipley, YMCA of Metro Atlanta Vice President of Learning & Development
I served in the U.S. Army from 1991 to 1995 as a Russian Linguist/Military Intelligence Specialist. I held the rank of Specialist and was primarily stationed at Fort Bragg, NC. My service period was between the two Desert Storm conflicts, so it was relatively peaceful for me — unlike the experiences of many others.
I attribute so much of where I am in life to the military. It provided me with opportunities to travel, go to college, buy a home, meet my spouse, and so much more. On Veterans Day, I am deeply grateful for what that experience gave me and reflect on the lives of those who were drastically altered by debilitating injuries or who left us too soon.
People often say to me, “Thank you for your service,” but I am the one who is grateful for the opportunity to serve. On Veterans Day (and really every day), I can’t help but compare my experience to the thousands of others who faced far greater challenges and sacrifices. They are the ones to whom I extend my deepest gratitude for their service.
Tharius Spearman, Member Experience Director, McCleskey-East Cobb Family Y
I served 8 years (2009 – 2017) in the U.S. Army. I was stationed at Fort Drum, NY as a combat medic with the 3/6 Field Artillery, as well as one deployment to Afghanistan in 2010-2011.
Veterans Day means so much to me because, even as a veteran, I love to say thank you to all other veterans.
Ralph Szweda, Member, Forsyth County Family Y
Ralph is 91 years young and an U.S. Air Force veteran. Hoping to become a pilot, Ralph enlisted in the Air Force at the age of 21. Due to his height of 6 feet 4 inches, he was too tall for the F-80 training aircraft. Undeterred, he became a Base Mechanization Specialist, an early term for IT Management. He was stationed in Tokyo, Japan, during the Korean War. After two years, he returned to Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, where he met the love of his life, Ruth, a fellow Air Force member who worked as an Administrative Assistant.
After serving four years in the Air Force, Ralph was discharged and returned to complete his college education. The training he received in the military laid the foundation for a successful career in IT. He worked for Bell Systems, now AT&T, for 5 years before transitioning to academia. For 33 years, he taught IT and Computer Science, first at Monroe Community College and later at St. John Fisher College in Rochester, New York.
In 1995, Ralph and Ruth retired and moved to Cumming, Georgia, to be closer to their only son and his family. Though Ruth passed away 2 years ago, Ralph continues to be an active member of the Y and enjoys serving the Knights of Columbus and volunteers at the food bank at his local church.
His remarkable career, service, and dedication to education are qualities that make him a beloved member of our Y community.
Charles "Rocko" Maurone, Member, Forsyth County Family Y
Rocko is a proud U.S. Marine veteran who joined the Marine Corps at the age of 18 in 1968, following in the footsteps of his maternal great-uncle, a World War II veteran. Rocko’s first year of service was spent in Guantanamo Bay, before he completed special forces training in California and was deployed to Vietnam with the First Marine Division. There, he faced the brutal challenges of combat in Vietnam’s treacherous mountainous jungle terrain, battling North Vietnamese forces. In 1970, Rocko was wounded and transferred to Japan for medical treatment.
Reflecting on his service, Rocko says, "Every man should serve his or her country. The military gives you a foundation to grow on. You are a boy going in and a man coming out."
The years he spent in the Marines not only gave him invaluable experiences but also lifelong friendships and memories he cherishes.
Lamberto D'Ascenzo, Member, Forsyth County Family Y
Lamberto is a proud U.S. Army veteran who was drafted at the age of 20 in 1970 during the Vietnam War. He began his service with basic training at Fort Dix in New Jersey before being transferred to Fort Eustis in Virginia, where he trained to become a Helicopter Crew Chief. Lamberto was then deployed to Korea, where he supported special helicopter missions.
His expertise in helicopter maintenance eventually led him to train other soldiers on the upkeep of various helicopter models. During his time in Korea, he met the love of his life while taking a Korean language course.
Lamberto served in the Army from 1970 to 1990, and reflecting on his military experience, he believes the Army teaches purpose and discipline, and that everyone should have the opportunity to serve. He is especially proud that his grandson chose to follow him by joining the Air Force, continuing the family’s legacy of military service.